Preselective apparatus for gear changing



, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 11

m m m C .d m 6 May 10, 1938. e. C HASSERIEAU 2,116,616

. PRESELECTIVE APPARATUS FOR GEAR CHANGING Filed NOV. 11, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 1/1/1104 VII/IIIIl/IIIII/h A INVENTOR (n v Gabriel Clmsserieau.

wWo/a M ATTORNEY.

May 10, 1938- G. CHASSERIEAU 2,116,516

I PRESELEGTIVE APPARATUS FOR GEAR CHANGING 4 Filed Nov. 11, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 10, 1933- G. CHASSERIEAU 2,116,616

PRESELECTIVE APPARATUS FOR GEAR CHANGING Filed Nov. 11, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Gabriel GImsser/eau 42.

M TORNEY May 10, 1938. G. CHASSERIEAU PRESELECTIVE' APPARATUS FOR GEAR CHANGING Filed Nov. 11

, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 y 10, 1938- e. cHAsssRlEAu 2,116,616

PRESELECTIVE APPARATUS FOR GEAR CHANGING Filed Nov. 11, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR by abr/e/ clmsserieau ATToR EY Patented May 10,1938" rimslimo'rivs s PATENT OFF-ICE APPARATUS FOR GEAR CHANGING Gabriel Chasserieau, Brussels, Belgiunr Application November 11, 1935, Serial No. 49,241

- In Belgium October 9, 1935 -C1aimS (01. 74-334) This invention. relates to a preselecting device for usewith variable speed gearboxes having sliding selectors.

Objects of the invention are to reduce to a-min- 5 imum the movements necessary to control an automobile, to dispense with theusual gear lever, to

provide for a more gradual change from one speed to another,- to enable a desired gear to be selected 'inadvance and to be put in'operation automatically at the desired moment.

The apparatus according to the invention comprises a pair 01 cylinders adapted to be placed in communication with suction created by the engine, a piston adapted to move within each cylinder under the influence of the suction and to be coupled with the sliding selectors of the gear box and lever mechanism arranged to be actuated to move valves which control the connection of the cylinders with the engine suction, by connecting 0 members under the control of the driver.

A feature of the apparatus according to the invention is that the apparatus operates pneumatically without .the aid of electricity.

A further feature lies in the fact that the ap ratus according to the invention can be used without modification with any type of automatic declutching apparatus and the change of speed efiected by the displacement of the throttle pedal as well as by the displacement of the clutch pedal.

A form of construction of the apparatus according to the invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:--

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section along line 1-! ofFigure 2, v v

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Figures 1 and 3,

. Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 of Figures 1 and 2, showing the piping con- -nected to the vacuum source of the engine; from the control valve, and the connection of said valve with the transmission clutch,

Figure 4 is a partial *front view of the preselector taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2, 5' Figure 5 is a partial side view of the'preselector taken on line 5--5 of Figure 4,

' Figure fishows a section of the neutral point control taken on line 6-4? of Figure 2, y

Figure"! is a longitudinal section of the control casing taken on line '|--1 of Figure 8,

Figure 8 is a similar transverse section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 9,

Figure 9 is a plan view'and partial section according to line-9-9 of Figure 8, u 'Figure'li) is a plan view of the transmission sliders according to line Iii-I0 of Figure 2 and showingthe position of said sliders in reverse,

Figure 11 is a same plan view of Figure 2 but showing the sliders in low gear, and

Figures 12, 13 and 14 represent the same plan view but showing the sliders respectively in'neutral, in second and in third gear.

The mechanical-pneumatic preselection change speed device is composed of a casing I fixed on I the upper part of and replacing the cover of the gear box, and two cylinders 2 and 2' which are rigidly attached to the casing. These cylinders are disposed in tandem in the longitudinal direction' of the box and communicate with the atmosphere through the interior of the casing l and by an aperture 3 situated in a wall of the latter. In these cylinders there operate pistons 4, 4' which are maintained at a' predetermined position by springs 5, 5' which bear on the one hand on the head of the cylinders, and on the other hand on the pistons. These pistons areprovided with rigid members 6, 6' having slots 1, l, the length of each of which is determined in accordance with the stroke of the pistons and that of the sliding selectors'8 and 8"of the gear box. These rigid members, which are offset in respect to the axis of the pistons,"are situated on either side of this axis and do not hinder the movement one of the other, but slide one against the other during the reciprocating movements of the pistons. A pin 9, which is disposed transversely to the members 6, 6' and enters the slots, is fixed to a forked arm Hi. The latter is arranged to be moved by one or the other of the members 6, 6 to effect the oscillation, about a sleeve [2 on a pin ll held transversely in the casing I, of a rocking lever 13, the arm M of which actually displaces the sliding selector 8 or B of the box. The engagement of the arm 14 with one or the other sliding selector is effected by a transverse displacement of the rocking lever l3 under the action of the sleeve l2 and a spring IS. The arm ll of the rocking lever is normally kept in engagement with the selector 8 by the influence of a helical spring l5 placed around the pin and bearing on the one hand against the casing I and on the other hand against the rocking lever l3. A forked lever arm 11 is arranged, when actuated, to exert a thrust on the sleeve, and is adapted to oscillate about a pin l8 fixed on a cover I9 bolted to the casing. In addition to the forked lever arm H the pin l8 carries, oscillatable about it, two levers 20, 2ll','-which are adapted, the one or the other,-

to drawthe forked arm I! one way only by meansof appropriate shoulders 2|. The ends of the levers 26, 26' are in direct contact with the lower arm 22, 22' of two-armed levers 23, 23' which are freely carried on a pin 24 fixed to the cover l9, and by means of the arms 25, 25' and valve members 26, 26' efiect the-closing of valves 21, 21

which are normally open. The valves are returned by helical springs 28, 28',-the tension of which may be regulated by abutting members 29, 29', against which bear the arms 25, 25. of the two-armed levers 23, 23'.

The valves 21, 21', the seats of which are controlled by springs 3|, 3|, are in communication. on the one hand either directly by the pipe 32 or through a passage 33 with a control valve 54 actuated by the clutch pedal 55, the oscillating movement thereof displacing by means of a cable 56 a valve 51 loaded by a spring 56 and a piston valve 59 loaded also by a spring 66, whereby to cause the closure of air inlets 6i and the application of vacuum through the motor-connected piping 62.

' The valves 21 and 21' are, on the other hand, in

communication with the cylinders 2 and 2' through the conduits 36, 36. 'The two-armed levers 23, 23' are provided with arms 38, 38' normally in contact with a lever arm 39 integral with a rocking lever 46 adapted to oscillate about a pivot 4| located in the casingv l. A second and oppositely disposed lever arm 42 acts as a counter- The'levers 26, 26 and 22, 22' are controlled by Bowden cables 44, 45, 46 and 41, Fig. 4, which can slide freely inperforations provided in the ends of the levers and draw the latter in one direction by means of the nipples 46, Figure 5. These cables pass over a bolt 56, Fig. 8, and each is connected to a control piston 52 inside a casing 49, movement being effected by means of the bolt 56 which slides to select and turns to operate, thus providing four gear positions corresponding to first, second and third speed and reverse. A cam 5| rigidly connected to thebolt 56 displaces, in a gyratory movement, the small pistons 52 housed in the interior of the casing 49 and held in place by springs 53, these pistons displacing the cables 44, 45, 46 and 41 by pulling upon their ends which pass over the bolt 56. The said cables are connected also to a control casing 49 prefpositions corresponding respectively to 1st, 2nd,

and 3rd speeds forward and one speed in reverse.

A cam 5| formed on bolt 56 pushes, in a rotary movement, one or the other of the small pistons 52 disposed within the casing 49 and acted 'upon by springs 53, the said pistons exerting a traction on cables 44, 45, 46 and 41 which traverse the pistons and to whichv they are secured by screws.

' lever I3 is kept in the recess of this selector, the

The operation of the change-speed device which is shown in Figs. 1-5 with third speed in engage ment, the preselection members being 'in .their neutral position and the pistons 4, 4' returned to engine idling, all the members of the 'preselection casing and the rocking lever l3.

of the pipe 32 and the aperture 33 with the control valve connected to the clutch pedal. The

control cables 44,45, 46 and 41 of the preselection device are slack, the lever 42 is lowered, the

pistons 4, 4' in position of rest, that is their innermost position in the interior of the casing I, while the lever I4 engaged in the recess in the sliding selector 8 (Fig. 12) is kept in this posi- 'tion by the eased springs l5 and I6.

To engage first speed, the driver places the control box bolt situated within his reach on the first speed position. He thus tensions the cable 44 and causes the lever 26 to oscillate, consequently drawing along the forked arm I1 and thrusting back the sleeve l2. The sleeve in sliding on the pin ll compresses the spring l5, andby means of the spring l6 carries alongthe rocking lever l3, the arm l4 of which then enters the recess of the sliding selector 8. At the same time the lever 26, in contact with the lower arm 22 of the two-armed lever 23, causes the latter to oscillate in its turn.

This lever then causes the valve 21 to be closed by the pressure of the arm 25 on the valve 26 while the rocking lever 46 by the contact of the arms 38 and 39 thus raises the lever 42 leaving a free passage for the members 6, 6' and so permitting displacement of the. pistons 4, 4 to' occur. By pressing on the clutch pedal the driver causes .the control valve to open and thereby places the suction of the engine in communication with the cylinder 2' over the pipe 32 and the valve 21 which remains open. The piston 4' under the action of the engine suction compresses the spring 6' and by moving the member 6 and the pin 9 displaces the rocking lever l3 so that the end of the arm l4 causes the s iding selector 6 to be transferred into the first speed position as shown in Fig. 11. At this movement, the return movement of the clutch pedal breaksthe communication with the engine suction, but re-establishes atmospheric pressure in the cylinder 2 to permit the spring 5' to return the piston to its starting position.

To pass from -first to second speed the driver places the control button-on the second speed po-' sition, thus tensioning the cable 46 and slackening the cable 44. The result of these simultaneous movements is.

('1) To cause by means of the lever 22' the rocking oi the rocking lever 23' which, by acting on the finger 25', closes the valve member 26' of the valve member 21;

(2) To keep the arm 42 of the rocking lever raised in order to permit the passage of the members 6, 6';

(3) By the slackening of the cable 44, for permitting the forked arm I! and the sleeve l2,

under the influence of the spring 3, to return to their normal position.

Nevertheless, as the sliding selector 6' is in first speed position and the arm l4 of the rocking springv l5 remains under tension between the When the driver -wishes to pass to second speed. it is sufficient for him to press on the clutch pedal. This movement puts the cylinder 2, by means of the control valve, the pipe 32, the aperture 33, the valve 21 which has remained open, and the duct 36, under suction. The latter acts on the piston 4 which, by means of the member 6, causes the rocking lever i3 t ooscillate and the arm I! returns the sliding *selector 8'. When the piston has made half its stroke, the recess of the sliding selector 8' lies opposite that of the selector 8 and permits thelever H, by sliding transversely on the sleeve I2 under the influence of the expansion spring l5, to engage therein. The piston continues its course without stopping, and the lever "which, after having abandoned the selector 8' in neutral position and engaged the selector 8, draws the latter selector into second speed position, as shown in Fig. 13.

At this moment the return of the clutch pedal permits atmospheric equilibrium to be re-estab:

lished in the cylinder 2, and the piston l returns to its starting point under the influence of the spring 5.

To pass from second to places the control. button on the corresponding position and thus tensions cable 45 while libcrating cable 46. The lever 22- then rocks the two-armed lever 23 which, by means of the arm 28, keeps the lever 42 of the rocking lever 4 0 raised, while the finger and the valve member 26 cause the valve 21 to close.

At the desired moment the driver lowers the clutch pedal thus effecting the opening of the control valve and connects the cylinder 2' with the engine suction. The piston 4" is displaced at the same time as the member 6', the rocking lever i3 oscillates and the rocking lever 8 is brought into the third speedposition as shown in 1 39. 'The pressure appliedto the'clutch' pedal Fig. '14. When the driver releases' the clutch pedal, the control valve re-establishes equilibrium in the cylinder 2' and the-piston 4' under the influence of the spring 5' returns to its initial position.

In order to is to-say in order to return the selectors Q and 8'..to the neutral point no matter what gear is engaged, the driver places the control button on the neutral-point position. The cables 44, l5, l6

and 41 are then automatically liberated and slackened, the valves 21 and 21' are opened and the lever 42 of the rocking lever 40 is lowered.

When pressure is applied to the clutch pedal the engine suction acts at the same time in the cylinders 2 and 2', the pistons 4 and 4' are displaced .and carry along the slotted members 6, 6' which return the'rocking lever [3 by oscillating it, no

matter what is its initial position, towards the centre position, the pistons being arrested halfway'through their stroke by the lever 42 coming into contact with the stops ll and 43' of the members 6, 6'. The selector 8 or 8', which .was engaged by the lever I4, is likewise displaced and stops in the centreposition as shown in Flg. 12.

To pass into reverse,,the selectors having previously been returned to-the neutral point, the

driver places the button on the reverse position. The pull thus exerted on the cable 41 rocks'the lever 2ll' which, by carrying along the forked arm l1, thrusts back the sleeve l2 'slidably carried on the pin ll, compressing the spring 15, and carries along the rocking lever. I! so that the arm 14 enters the recess of the selector 1'. The

lever 20' being in contact with theloweriflnger 22' of thetwo-armcd lever 23', the latter rocks in its turn andby the pressure or the ringer 26'- on the valveurnember 26' closes the valve 21-.

"Ihusthe lever42 is liitedby the rockingoi the rocking lever 40 caused by the flngers 38'; and

opens the control valve which. connects the cylfinder 2 with the enginesuctiong 'l'he piston I,

third'speed the driver set the device in neutral, that in its displacement, carries along by means of the member 6 the rocking lever i3 so that the lever l4 brings the selector 8' into the reverse position as shown in Fig. 10. As soon as the driver ceases to apply pressure to the clutch pedal, pressure equilibrium is re-established in the cylinder 2 and under the influence of the spring 5 the piston returns to its starting point. When the driver wishes to pass from ayhigher speed to a-lower speed, for example from third to second or from second to first, the operation is carried out in the same manner as for passing 'from a lower to a higher speed, it being sumcient for him to put the control button on the position corresponding to the speed chosen and to press the clutch pedal, the selector corresponding to the speed preselected then being displaced.

What I" claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A preselective gear changing device, com prising in combination with a gear transmission a clutch therefor and a source of vacuum, a pair oi cylinders a piston movable in each of said cylinders under the action of vacuum, sliding selectors adapted to shift the transmission gears, a sliding lever operable by the pistons and 'adapted to'engage said selectors for moving the same; a rocking lever adapted to selectively move said sliding lever into engagement with one 01' the selectors, valves adapted to place the cylinders in communication with the vacuum source ,levers operable to selectively actuate said valves I and operate the rocking lever, members under control of an operator, cables connecting said members with the levers, and means operated by the gear clutch for openingand closing communication between the vacuum source and the valves. 4

2. In combination-with a four-speed gear transmission, a pair of cylinders, apiston pneumatical- I lymovable in each of said cylinders, means actuated bysaid pistons for changing gears. in a .given direction, a rocking lever for. shifting said changing means to other gears, valvesco'ntrolling the pneumatic action in the cylinders, levers corresponding in number to .the number of gear speed changes, said levers being adapted to selectively actuate the valves and the rocking lever, cables connected to each 'ofsaid levers, members actuating said cables under the control of an operator, and manually operable means for controlling thepneumatic action to all valves.

' 3. A'gear changing mechanism of the character 'described,'comprising in combination with a gear transmission, a pair of opposed cylinders, a piston pneumatically movable in each of said cylinders, slotted extensions secured to said pistons, a pivotcd arm having 5 rod engaging in said extensions, means for laterally shifting the said arm, parallel sliding selectors engageable by the pivoted arm, valves for controlling the pneumatic action in the cylinders, levers for actuating said valves andthe pivoted arm, members under control of an ioperator, and cables connecting each of said levers to a corresponding member and equal in number to the number of gear speeds.

LA. preselective gear-shifting mechanism,

- comprising in combination with a gear transmission'having sliding gear-shifting means, a pair of cylinders, a piston, pneumatically movable in each of said cylinders, valves controlling the pneumatic action" in the cylinders, means co-operating with, the-pistons for imparting a to and fro movement to thegear shiftingmeans, a rocker for cross-shitting the piston cooperating means,

levers operable to set the valves in open and closed positions, cables connecting said levers and rock- 10 having pistons therein movable by the action of atmospheric pressureon one side and vacuum on the other, a pivoted arm adapted to be oscillated by the pistons, means for shifting said arm laterally, the arm being engageable with the means for sliding the transmission gears, valves for controlling the vacuum in the cylinders, levers adapted to operate the valves. members adapted to actuate the arm shifting means, control members manually operable by an operator and corresponding in number to the transmission speeds available. cables connecting said levers and members with the control members, and a foot actuated valve for cutting on and oi! the vacuum to 10 all the cylinder valves.

Y GA RIEL CHASSERIEAU. 

